ScottyMac’ capped off another impressive season by
winning His maiden Indianapolis 500 Pole with a record speed of 234.220mph
aboard the iconic “Yellow Submarine”. (The Tomaso Collection)
As who will Santa be Awarding “Gifts” to this year?
Once again, I’m languidly trying to finish off the year’s
No Fenders posts Here upon Ye mystical’ Isle of Nofendersville, with Thy yearly
IndyCar Golden Tailpipe Award selections. Hence these choices were Jotted down
after somewhat quick deliberation.
Whilst Y’all can
compare ‘n contrast this year’s choices with the Uber Elongated 2023 Selections
in the following link.
http://www.nofenders.net/2023/12/the-2023-indycar-golden-tailpipe-awards_01013109234.html
WINNERS
2024 IndyCar Champion: Alex Palou, Spain
2024 Indy 500: Josef Newgarden, USA
2024 Rookie Of the Year: Linus Lundqvist, Sweden
CATEGORIES
1. Driver of The Year
Winner: Colton Herta
The obvious choice would have ben Alex Palou,
whom presumably doesn’t get enough consideration for His amazing career to
date. But I’m guessing that will be most others selection.
Hence I went for an outside the box choice
instead, even if I’mnot a big Colton fan. But His no-nonsense, straight shooter
attitude and demeanour have rown upon me.
Not to mention that Colton finally won His
first race after two years of futility!Breaking His winless streak at 41 races.
And then winning on His first Oval at season’s end. Vaulting Himself into
runner-up in the championship.
Other
Choices
Alex Palou, Scott McLaughlin and Pato O’Ward
2. Biggest Disappointments of The Year
Trying to keep this short, HaHa! Meaning we
don’t need to rehash Team Penske’s P2P-Gate…
Bigger disappointment to Mwah was Will Power’s
lap belt inexplicably coming loose in the early stages of Nashville, along with
scuttling His title hopes at Milwaukee, or where ever that was when He spun
Himself out and dropped from fourth to an eventual tenth place finish! Along
with my g-Damn’ P.O.S. Internet provider Spectrum going Dark during the most
crucial portion of the Nashville season finale race, i.e.; Power pitting to fix
His seat belt, Urgh!
http://www.nofenders.net/2024/09/indycar-nashville-rewind.html
But the biggest disappointment has to be Mikey
A’ getting squeezed out of His eponymous Andretti Global racing empire! As will
we ever know the real story behind this, eh?
http://www.nofenders.net/2024/10/whats-really-going-on-at-andretti-global.html
3. Race of The Year
Oval Track Winner: Nashville
Every year, the easiest, most simple and
logical choice is the Indianapolis 500. But I tend to shy away from this race
due to it being IndyCar’s “Death Star” blotting out the remainder of the
IndyCar calendar…
Thus I chose Nashville since it had been not
even on the schedule originally! And after the switch of venues from downtown
Nashville to the concreate oval on the outskirts of Lebanon, Tennessee. Not to
mention the worry and concern over whether or not it would provide a decent
race? I’d say it was “Mission Accomplished” for the season finale.
As the race was filled with plenty of drama,
including Power’s “Wardrobe Malfunction!” While the High groove finally came
in, with Colton Herta using it to full effect, whilst others faltered…
There was plenty of side by side passing. Along
with Herta making a late race pass upon Pato O’Ward to win His first ever Oval
race while battling David Malukas for the win.
Funniest bit is that California transplant and
now Nashville resident Colton Herta won His second race of the year here.
Although will anybody remember that when the season resumes a Gory six months
later this March at St Pete?
Other
Choices
Gateway and Milwaukee
Twisties' Track Winner: Long Beach and Alabama
This was probably the hardest choice for Mwah,
since Thars’ multiple races that sprang to mind. Depending on what you’re
angling for. Most carnage or good racing?
As I actually had to go back ‘n review much of
the season, since being some three months since season’s end, Frick! I’d
forgotten most of it…
Thus Detroit comes up number one for most
mayhem or carnage! Whilst Toronto also stands out. With the good news being
there was multiple lead changes at nearly every Twisty’ event…
Thus I chose two winners this year. As both
Long Beach and Barber Motorsports Park stand out for their multiple passing and
pit strategies. With thee Iceman 2.0’, aka Scott Dixon once again winning at
The Beach on excellent fuel mileage strategy. Holding off an angry pack of
chasers!
While ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin once
again motored His way to victory lane at thee Barbers’ on an excellent,
“alternate” pit strategy, along with superb Hustle behind the wheel…
Other
Choices
Detroit and Toronto
4. Most Improved Team of the Year
Winner: Meyer Shank Racing
Initially toyed with A.J. foyt Enterprises for
this category, but Sting Ray Robb made that illogical to Mwah. And then I
thought about how wrong Meyer Shank Racing’s (MSR) season had gone last year!
Especially with that Horrendous crash Symone’, nee Pageantry’, aka Simon
Pagenaud endured at Mid-Ohio!
Along with MSR finally having to admit that ‘OL
Dancin’ fool Hulio’ was Cactus’ as a full season driver! Necessitating a brand
new driver lineup for 2024.
The obvious “Home Run” for MSR was Felix
Rosenqvist, even if the Swede faltered to an eventual 12th place finish
overall. Felix-the-Cat’ electrified us during season’s beginning, including
securing MSR’s first ever Pole position at Long Beach.
The second “Route 66” No. 66 entry with Sports
Car Ace Tom “the Bomb” Blomqvist didn’t pan out, with the rookie being let go
following His Indianapolis 500 debacle! With Helio Castroneves drafted in for
two rounds before hiring David Malukas to run the remainder of the season and
ensure the #66 made the necessary Leader Circle prize fund payout to MSR. Which
Chicago Davey did.
5. Most Disappointing Team of the Year
Winner: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Ok, if you’re still reading? As this story’s
gotten way too long. It feels like a broken record choosing RLLR again. But
they just seem like they’re still lost in the wilderness! And you’d expect
better results from this team.
Graham Rahal was a lackluster P18 overall, with Pietro Fittipaldi P19. As the Brazilian (Fittipaldi) finished just one point ahead of Sting Ray Robb in 20th, Zouza! While the team “leader” and best finisher overall, Christian Lundgaard was eleventh. Before leaving the team for the “Greener” pastures of Arrow McLaren…
